An explosion at an Escientia Advanced Sciences pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in the Atchutapuram Special Economic Zone in the Anakapalli neighborhood of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh on 21 August 2024 killed at least 18 people. Fifty more were injured.[1][2][3]
| Date | August 21, 2024 |
|---|---|
| Time | 2:15 p.m. (IST) |
| Location | Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation campus, Anakapalli, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Cause | Reported electrical fire |
| Deaths | 18+ |
| Non-fatal injuries | 41+ |
About the Factory
editEssential is an Indian pharmaceutical manufacturing company that constructs active pharmaceutical ingredients as well as intermediary products. The 40-acre facility unit was constructed on the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation campus with a ₹200 crore budget and began production in April 2019.[1]
Around 400 workers made up of two shifts were working in the factory at the time of the explosion.[1][3]
Explosion
editAt around 2:15 p.m. IST on 21 August 2024, an explosion believed to be caused by an electrical fire occurred at the facility. Due to the explosion occurring at lunchtime, a much higher casualty number was averted.[1][2] At least 18 people were killed[4] in the explosion and resulting fire, while 41 more suffered injuries, of which several were described as "severe chemical burns".[1][5]
Several fire engines were dispatched to put out the resulting fires, and 13 people trapped inside the facility were rescued.[1] Thick smoke surrounding the facility impeded rescue and fire extinguishing operations.[5]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e f "17 Dead, Several Injured In Explosion At Andhra Pradesh Pharma Company". NDTV.com. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
- ^ a b Sadam, Rishika (21 August 2024). "Blast at Indian pharma factory kills 15 and injures 40, official says". Reuters. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
- ^ a b "17 dead in Andhra Pradesh factory blast; toll likely to rise as more workers feared trapped in debris". The Times of India. 22 August 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
- ^ "Explosion and fire at a pharmaceutical plant in India kill at least 18 workers". Associated Press. 22 August 2024.
- ^ a b "'Their skin was peeling off from the chemical burns': Andhra reactor blast that killed 15 leaves trail of broken homes". The Indian Express. 21 August 2024. Retrieved 21 August 2024.